ECM 1407 Professional Issues

Question 1

The Trolley Problem. Who and When?

Answer 1

Philippa Foot, 1967

Question 2

What is the Utilitarian approach to the trolley problem

Answer 2

Flip the switch: kill the 1 person as less people will die

Question 3

Descriptive Morality vs Normative Morality

Answer 3

Descriptive: A Code of Conduct/Ideology put forth by an individual or group

Normative: A Code of Conduct felt by all rational humans

Question 4

Universalizability principle

Answer 4

A moral statement that applies in one situation must apply in other relevantly similar situations

Question 5

Impartiality principle

Answer 5

All persons are considered equal and should be treated accordingly.

Question 6

Teleological

Answer 6

Good/Bad Consequence -> Good/Bad Action

Question 7

Deontological

Answer 7

Good/Bad Nature -> Good/Bad Action

Question 8

IT professionals must uphold a code of conduct because

Answer 8

• IT professionals have great knowledge expressed through their work
  ○ But others cannot easily check their work
• IT professionals have great reach achieved through their work
  ○ But others can easily avoid their work

Question 9

Code of Conduct examples

Answer 9

• British Computer Society (BCS)
  
  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
  • Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)

Question 10

BCS principles

Answer 10

• Public Interest (You make IT for everyone)
  • Professional competence and integrity
  • Duty to relevant authority (Respect the organisation or individual you work for)
  • Duty to profession (Keep IT real. Keep IT professional. Pass IT on)